Proof of Citizenship

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:So because a line from Emma Lazarus' poem engraved on a 19th c gift to the US from France does not accurately reflect the nuances or pragmatism of modern US immigration policy in a global world, the statue should be toppled to the ground? Are you for real?

While your ability to quickly reference Wikipedia is impressive, your capacity for logical thinking still leaves much to be desired. That is not simply a random poem, but an articulation of what the statue once symbolized. Today the statue symbolizes nothing beyond hypocrisy. We no longer welcome the huddled masses. But, maybe you are correct and rather than destroy the statue, we should retire it to a museum. It can serve as a reminder of an America that no longer exists.

[Anonymous]

We welcome lots of huddled masses. Probably, there are more huddled masses than the ones currently inviting themselves who we could identify and invite with a reformed look at our quota / immigration system. Why not welcome them as legals? Why are you perpetuating a broken system that puts people at risk for exploitation and danger? At least the AZ law is finally forcing the argument to light. Seems you are happier with a broken status quo. I would rather reach more huddled masses (all over the world) properly than the few who make it here illegally improperly...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We welcome lots of huddled masses. Probably, there are more huddled masses than the ones currently inviting themselves who we could identify and invite with a reformed look at our quota / immigration system. Why not welcome them as legals? Why are you perpetuating a broken system that puts people at risk for exploitation and danger? At least the AZ law is finally forcing the argument to light. Seems you are happier with a broken status quo. I would rather reach more huddled masses (all over the world) properly than the few who make it here illegally improperly...

I have to agree. Everyone knows that the illegal status is what makes them cheap. Maybe that's what some people on this thread like.

[Anonymous]

Not supporting the law but just pointing out that for you to have a high standard of living, someone, somewhere will have a low standard of living as a result.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:We welcome lots of huddled masses. Probably, there are more huddled masses than the ones currently inviting themselves who we could identify and invite with a reformed look at our quota / immigration system. Why not welcome them as legals? Why are you perpetuating a broken system that puts people at risk for exploitation and danger? At least the AZ law is finally forcing the argument to light. Seems you are happier with a broken status quo. I would rather reach more huddled masses (all over the world) properly than the few who make it here illegally improperly...

I support and would welcome a more open system of legal immigration. I am not sure how you can conclude that opposing a law that infringes on the rights of US citizens somehow translates into support for the current system of immigration. I have a number of problems with the Arizona law. But, my biggest concern is not how it affects illegals, but rather how it affects legals. It's a sad day when Americans lose their rights and so many celebrate it.

[Anonymous]

Arizona sucks. In one week they passed a law allowing concealed weapons without a permit, the immigration bill and the birther bill. What an embarrassment to the rest of the US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope when native Arizonans call the cops about real crime that their cops are too busy transporting illegal aliens to come to their aid.

Has anyone thought about the additional burden on local law enforcement? Has anyone considered the fact that both legal and illegal immigrants are likely to avoid cooperating with the police? I think this will make it harder to find the real criminals.

The additional burden on local law enforcement will create new jobs. Maybe a lot of new jobs for Mexicans who are legal. Problem solved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:" I remember right after 9-11 getting stopped at the airport all the time for a more thorough security check - yes, it was racial profiling, no doubt about it. Did I like it when it was me? No. Did I understand? Yes. I get it, it's better than checking the little old lady with a cane. That being said, I do not agree with racial profiling, but I can understand the temptation to use it."

Shortly after 9-11, as we were about to board, a white airline employee took an African-American family with two little kids aside to question and search them after they had already been through the security checkpoint. (This was before they had worked out all of the airport security guidelines.) I had not been watching them so I do not know if they were behaving in a suspicious manner. I know a terrorist could be anybody but it did occur to me that the employee might be abusing her authority in selecting only them among the many passengers.

A "white" airline employee took an "African-American" aside. How do you know it was to question and search them? Maybe there was an emergency that had nothing to do with security. Also, an "airline" employee would have no authority to question and search--were there any police, AIRPORT employee, or Homeland Security staff? All you have is your own conjecture because they were African-American. How do you know they were US citizens? Did you see their passports? Did they scream, "Help. We're African-Americans and we're being abused." Why didn't you report this suspected abuse to the proper authorities? "It occured to you" . It occurs to me that you had no basis for whatsoever for thinking the airline employee was abusing her power.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Arizona sucks. In one week they passed a law allowing concealed weapons without a permit, the immigration bill and the birther bill. What an embarrassment to the rest of the US.

Here's a verbatim facebook post by my cousin's wife in AZ. So you can see what kind of electorate they're dealing with. I'm tempted to make a comment about how everyone who comes to the U.S. should also be forced to learn to use apostrophes, but I think it would go over her head.

"I would have no problem's showing my paper's. It's not like you don't already carry ID, insurance and credit card's make a copy of your birth certificate.There's never a cop around when you need one anyways! Come on. I'm thinking maybe we should stop given out wellfare and free medical to illegal's. I have no problem with the one's that come over here to work and obey our laws."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope when native Arizonans call the cops about real crime that their cops are too busy transporting illegal aliens to come to their aid.

Has anyone thought about the additional burden on local law enforcement? Has anyone considered the fact that both legal and illegal immigrants are likely to avoid cooperating with the police? I think this will make it harder to find the real criminals.

The additional burden on local law enforcement will create new jobs. Maybe a lot of new jobs for Mexicans who are legal. Problem solved.

In an era when states are cutting their budgets? Where will they get the money from?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arizona sucks. In one week they passed a law allowing concealed weapons without a permit, the immigration bill and the birther bill. What an embarrassment to the rest of the US.

Here's a verbatim facebook post by my cousin's wife in AZ. So you can see what kind of electorate they're dealing with. I'm tempted to make a comment about how everyone who comes to the U.S. should also be forced to learn to use apostrophes, but I think it would go over her head.

"I would have no problem's showing my paper's. It's not like you don't already carry ID, insurance and credit card's make a copy of your birth certificate.There's never a cop around when you need one anyways! Come on. I'm thinking maybe we should stop given out wellfare and free medical to illegal's. I have no problem with the one's that come over here to work and obey our laws."

Right--your little anecdote is illuminating of the entire electorate? All 70+ percent in favor of this law? Really?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I propose that everyone against this law start voluntarily 'self-taxing' and send money to the state of AZ to support social services and hospitals. It's funny to say that one can be FOR the law as it doesn't affect anyone up here. How about it's EASY to be against the law since you are not paying for these services or worried about chance encounters on your ranch etc. with desperate people who may or may not be hostile.

Couldn't have said it better and haven't noticed any Posts forming to the left voluntarily sending even a penny to Arizona. Put your money where your mouth is.

[Anonymous]

I will send money to Arizona just as soon as all the war-supporters either self-tax to pay for the american presense in the middle east, or, for those unable to pony up the cash, join the army on a volunteer basis.

I would MUCH rather my tax dollars be spent keeping an undocument immigrant safe and healthy and productive, than be spent on making war overseas.

[Anonymous]

We all pay taxes to support the military do-do. Do you pay taxes to support the drain on the state of AZ coffers due to mishandled federal immigration policy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will send money to Arizona just as soon as all the war-supporters either self-tax to pay for the american presense in the middle east, or, for those unable to pony up the cash, join the army on a volunteer basis.

I would MUCH rather my tax dollars be spent keeping an undocument immigrant safe and healthy and productive, than be spent on making war overseas.

Your argument is disingenous. Maybe you do not know the definition of "disingenous". Look it up and maybe then you will understand that your argument is specious, as well.

The President of the United States, George W. Bush, Vice President Cheney and the President's advisors made the decision to invade Iraq and Afghanistan. Even you must understand the reason for invading Afghanistan. If not, here are reminders: Al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, and September 11, 2001. I doubt that even you can dispute the reasoning behind this decision. Their reasons for invading Iraq were disingenous and specious and we now know the Bush Administration lied about WMD. I don't like this war, you don't like this war, many, many people do not like this war. But this war is not illegal--the bunk about wars being illegal is just that--bunk. A majority of the Members of both houses also backed the President's decision.

If we don't make war overseas then the only place the US can fight a war is within the CONTIGUOUS United States. That's a 4-sylable word so look up the definition when you look up the other words you do not seem to understand. Well you have your wish. Arizona has declared war on illegal immigrants because THEY HAVE VIOLATED Federal immigration law. Federal law is the US Code, more simply, the laws of the United States of America. As US citizens we are bound by these laws as are all foreign nationals who enter the United States of America. Ergo, if one enters this country illegally they have broken US law. I refer you to George Will's column in today's WSJ--Wall Street Journal.

The White House and Members of Congress knew this legislation was going to be enacted. It was all over the news due to John McCain's reelection campaign in Arizona. If the White House had bothered to return any of the five telephone calls made by Arizona's governor, it is possible this legislation would not have been enacted.

Maybe the biggest lesson for you is "be careful what you wish for, you might get it."